YouTube has thousands of IGCSE Physics videos. The challenge is not finding content but filtering it. Here is how to use video explanations effectively.
Finding reliable channels
Look for channels that:
- Reference the Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus specifically (not a different exam board).
- Explain concepts clearly with diagrams, not just read from a textbook.
- Show worked examples with mark scheme references.
- Have been active within the last 2 years (syllabus content changes).
Avoid channels that promise guaranteed grades, offer only motivational content, or use clickbait titles without substantive teaching.
When to watch
Videos are useful at specific points in your study cycle:
- Before reading the textbook: a 5-minute overview video gives context for a new topic.
- After attempting a question you got wrong: a video walkthrough of a similar question can reveal the method.
- For practical demonstrations: if you have not seen an experiment in the lab, a video can show the setup and procedure.
Videos are not useful as a replacement for practice. Watching a 20-minute video feels productive but does not build the problem-solving skill that comes from attempting questions yourself.
How to watch actively
Passive watching (playing a video in the background) achieves nothing. Instead:
- Watch the first explanation of a concept.
- Pause the video.
- Write the key point from memory.
- Resume and check.
- At the end, attempt a practice question on that topic without replaying the video.
If you cannot answer the question, you did not learn the concept. Re-watch and try again.
Time limits
Set a timer. Spend no more than 15 to 20 minutes on video content per study session. The remaining time should be spent on questions and active recall.
If you find yourself watching video after video without doing any questions, you are procrastinating, not revising.
Combining with this site
Use the topic pages on this site as your primary revision material. When you encounter a concept you find difficult, search YouTube for a specific video on that subtopic. Watch it, then return to the site and attempt the practice questions. The video should support your revision, not replace it.
Playlist strategy
Create a private playlist of videos you found useful. Organise by topic. Before a mock exam, you can quickly review your playlist to refresh specific concepts. Delete videos that did not help to keep the list focused.
Apply this study skill next
Need a Plan Based on Actual Work?
A private taught trial can help distinguish whether the repeated difficulty is mainly Physics knowledge, Mathematics, practical reasoning or exam technique before regular lessons are discussed.